Improvement in sewing-machines



o. c. PHELPS.

' vSewing Machine Attachment. No. 18,102. Patented sept. 1, 1857.

PETERSA Phomuxlmgnpmr. wanhingtm D, C.

UNITED STATES PTENT OFFICE.

ORSON @.rHELrS, or ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN SEWING-MACHINES,

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 18,102, dated September l, 1857.

To all whom t may conce/'n.-

Beit known that I, ORSON C. PHELPS, of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented anew and useful Improvement in Sewing-Machines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and 'op'eration'of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, m-aking part of this specification, and to the letters 'of reference marked thereon.

The nature of my invention consists in constructing the needle-bar in two or more parts,

having a variable `joint or connection, with an elastic material interposed between the 'solid parts, which causes them to yield to the tension of the thread in drawing in the stitch,

whereby the smallest thread may be employed without breaking from themotion of the machine.

Figure l represents the needle-bar in elevation. VFi'g. 2 is the sameview with the divided portion shown in section.

-Ais the solid portion of the bar to which the power whicl'i gives it motion is employed, and

, which carries the needle B. y Gis an arm which works the slack-thread wire. The upper portionconsists of a solid head, D, through a hole in which the thread E passes on its way from the spool to the needle, below which is a tube or thimble, a a, Fig. 2, fitting nicely to the outside of the bar A and sliding upon it. The top of the bar is drilled with a hole of sufficient size to receive the coiled spring b and hold it in an upright position. The spring Y projects a half an inch, or thereabout, above the' bar, and receives the tubular portion D on its top. Avertical slot is cut on one side of the tube a, allowing it to play up and down in the arm C, which acts as a guide to prevent its turning. A pin, c, through the arm arrests the action of the `spring at a point where its pressure is light and delicate 5 but the slot allows the head to descend and accommodate itself to some extent to the pressure it receives.

A small vent-hole, d, is made in the top ofthe thimble to allow the air to escape. rlhe stitch l is drawn in or tightened by the return of the small, it is exceedingly liable to break; but in my improvement the head or upper portion of :the bar yields measurably by its elasticity to the tension of the thread, drawing it gradually in and allowing it time to feed from the spool, by which the sudden jerk is entirely overcome with the most beneiicial results. The ibers sustain a much greater force than when it is suddenly applied, whereby a tighter and strongV er seam is formed. Such is the sensibility ofthe yielding bearing that an exceedingly fine thread may be used without breaking, No. 150 cotton having been successfully employed with this improvement, when No. 90 only could be used on the same machine without it. The machine may be run atafar greater speed with safety to the thread, thereby effecting an important saving of time. l

This device has'a still further and very important effect. As the shuttle enters the loop, it draws upon the thread to enlargethe'loop sufliciently to allow it space through which to pass. The tension thus occasioned causes the v easy tension until the upward motion of the' needle-bar draws the stitch in, the effect of which is heretofore described.

India-rubber or other elastic material may be used in place of the spring b,- or confined land compressed air maybe employed and produce the same or nearly as good an effect; but I prefer to'use a metallic spring, from its sim; plicity and economy and the ease with which it may be replaced. For ordinary sewing no change of the spring will be required,- its variable force adapting it to very light and comparatively heavy work; but in Some cases where extra heavy work is required-as in leather, harness, andsail making-a stiffer spring may readily be substituted; or a small thumb-screw may be inserted through the top of the thimble at D, passing down within the coil of the spring and entering the bar A at the e foot of the spring, by turning which the parts may be drawn together, so as tosecure a greater pressure of the spring when required.

The construction is simple and easily applied to any machine already in use.

I do not claim the use of a spring immediately connected with the needle or with the I socket for holding the needle orany spring attaelnnent for asimilar pnrpose not directly atboth in drawing in the stitch and when the i taehed to the needle-bar, as seen in the patshuttle passes the loop, whereby a Very fine ents of I. M. Singer and others; but thread may be used Without breaking7 and a Vhat I claim as my invention7 and desire to better seam produced in consequence of the secure by Letters Patent, iseven tension of the thread and gradual draw- Construeting the needle-bar Aof sewing-inaing in of the stitch, as described.

- ehines with a cap or helmet D, on its top, and

a spring, b, or other elastic 7material Whieh is l O' C' PHELPS' equivalent in its effect-as india-rubber, air, Vtnesses:

Sra-interposed between the parts for the pnri J. FRASER,

pose of giving ayielding bearingto tliethread, CLINTON ROGERS. 

